How do you thin and move ornamental variegated ginger?

Q: How do you thin and move ornamental variegated ginger? — A.W., Houston

A: I like to cut back the foliage for easier access to ginger roots when dividing. It will grow back soon as it's warm. To reduce the diameter of a shell ginger clump, dig up the rhizomes around the perimeter. Use a sharpshooter (a long, sharp spade) to dig down and lift the rhizomes. Plant those that have growing tips in other areas.